The Bombay High Court on Thursday observed that parents, often mothers, are more ambitious and they send their children to different classes, like swimming, karate, and drawing, after school, which results in the kids having to carry extra books in their bags, increasing the weight.
A division bench of justices VM Kanade and BP Colabawala appreciated the efforts of the state government, which has come out with a resolution to ensure that schools bags weigh less. "This is a very comprehensive report and they (government) have dealt with everything," the judges said.
However, the court has asked the government to inform within two weeks the date of implementation and action that would be followed on schools which fail to implement the resolution.
The courts observation on parents came after the government pleader informed that the government is sincerely working on reducing the weight of school bags. "However, many a times it's observed that children go to tuitions and carry those books to school. The government and schools cannot do anything in such a scenario. Parents have to take care of this," he said.
The government has put a limit on the weight of school bags carried by students to 10% of their body weight. Social activist Swati Patil had approached the court, seeking directions to reduce school bag weight.
Advocate Nitesh Nevshe, appearing for Patil, argued that the onus of implementing most of the steps is on parents and schools and, thus, the government has shifted its responsibility on them. Furthermore, there is no time period given for implementation.
As per the government resolution, parents are called upon to ensure that the limit on the weight is followed. It is their responsibility to see that students only carry books that are essential. The government and schools will also keep a check by weighing bags.
As per a committee report, children are carrying school bags 20-30% heavier than their age, because of which around 60% students below the age of 10 suffer from orthopaedic as well as stress-induced ailments.
Patil, in her public interest litigation, has produced a certificate issued by a doctor from KEM hospital, stating that children may suffer from backaches, spondylitis, neck pain and other orthopaedic problems if they continue to carry heavy bags regularly to school.
